2012 NHL Mock Draft: Most Underrated Talents in This Year's First Round

This year's NHL draft features several future All-Stars. Many will be expected, but others will surprise with their productive professional career.

Underrated players have found their niche before. Certain teams fit certain playing styles. Sometimes, players just find a perfect home. Other times, their potential clicks at the opportune time.

Let's lay out the first round and see which teams will find a diamond in the rough.

1. Edmonton Oilers:Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

The Oilers add yet another future star on offense. Yakupov is the best player in the draft, and the Oilers will not miss here.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Murray, D, Everett

Columbus tried to build the franchise around offensive firepower, but that hasn't worked. With Rick Nash possibly on his way out, now is the time to stack up on defense. Murray is a sure thing, and this year's best blue-line prospect.

Galchenyuk is not ready to play next year, but he could develop into a star in the Maple Leafs' offense. I could call him underrated, but an injury is the only thing putting him there. Talent-wise, he's an explosive offensive player.

6. Anaheim Ducks:Filip Forsberg, F, Leksand

Anaheim receives a gift here. Forsberg is a dynamic offensive player, and he fills a need up the middle. He's another sure thing.

7. Minnesota Wild:Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

It's a simple equation here. The Wild need scoring, and Teravainen is the best offensive player remaining on the board.

He plays with energy to make up for his size. The 17-year-old Finn may only stand 5'11'', but he uses it to has advantage by squeezing past larger defenders.

He can be pushed around, but in the open ice he's lethal. He has excellent stickhandling, and he makes his teammates better.

Minnesota finds their future leader on offense. He doesn't quite have the hype of a Yakupov, or Forsberg, but he will be a very good player in his own right.

He's the right pick here, and they get him for great value.

8. Carolina Hurricanes: Radek Faksa, F, Kitchener

It doesn't look like Jordan Staal is leaving Pittsburgh, so any ideas of him joining his brother are probably out the window.

Faksa is a prolific scorer; he led all OHL rookies in goals last season.

9. Winnipeg Jets: Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

The Jets will have to wait for Trouba to arrive in the NHL (he's playing for University of Michigan this fall), but he is a very skilled player. If they can be patient, he's worth the wait.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning: Olli Maatta, D, London

Maatta will help the Lightning's terrible defense in the future. He has two-way ability because of his heavy shot.

Collberg adds scoring depth to Washington's squad. He's a bit one-dimensional, but he does his one thing very well.

12. Buffalo Sabres: Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

Gaunce is big (6'2'' 215 pounds), and offensively skilled. The Sabres will be grateful for the skill he brings to the table.

13. Dallas Stars: Zemgus Girgensons, F ,Dubuque

The Stars get a player who can help them right away. Girgensons is a grinder who has a nose for the puck. Dallas fans will appreciate his toughness.

14. Calgary Flames: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

Calgary grabs a No. 1 defenseman to replace Dion Phaneuf. Ceci is a much different player, but he is an excellent talent. His combination of size and skill will be a great addition to the Flames' lineup.

15. Ottawa Senators: Matthew Finn, D, Guelph

Finn is small (6'0''), but he makes up for it with skill. The Senators will have a very dangerous blue line with he and Erik Karlsson running the point.

This year in the OHL, Finn scored 47 points in 61 games. He has above-average quickness, great knowledge of the game and moves the puck well.

He also has a dangerous shot from the point.

Ottawa will have a to wait a bit, but Finn will be a very good NHL defenseman. People overlook him a bit because of his short stature, but his offensive potential is right there with anyone else.

Senators fans will enjoy their team's power play with Finn running the show.

16. Washington Capitals: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

The Capitals are always saturated with talent on offense but thin on the defensive end. Reinhart needs time to mature, but he has big potential.